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Board delays vote on city ambulance contract

By Lyle Moran, lmoran@lowellsun.com

Posted:
02/26/2014 11:42:20 PM EST

LOWELL -- The Board of Health postponed voting Wednesday on whether to award Trinity EMS a new three-year ambulance contract so that approved amendments could be incorporated into the proposed pact and so the board could further discuss any outstanding issues.

A final vote on a deal that would go into effect July 1 could come as soon as the board's next meeting on Wednesday, which would be prior to City Manager Bernie Lynch's departure on March 10.

The vote to delay action came even as Health Director Frank Singleton urged the board to move swiftly, stating during the meeting that "the manager is running out of time," referring to Lynch. After board approval of a pact, the city manager's signature is required.

"The manager may be running out of time, but we are not running out of time," responded Dr. William Galvin, a health-board member.

Galvin and member Paulette Renault-Caragianes noted that the city's current deal with Lowell-based Trinity, which has held the contract since 1992, does not expire until June 30.

Galvin and Chair Jo-Ann Keegan both highlighted that as of Wednesday night the Board of Health had not once discussed the length of any new deal with Trinity, and had not discussed many other parts of the new contract. The board --- which also includes John Donovan and Kerry Hall -- did not comment on the terms Wednesday night, either.

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The city, as allowed by law, did not seek requests for proposals and chose to move ahead with a new deal for Trinity at the recommendation of the health board, according to Lynch. But Keegan said Wednesday night it was Lynch's decision that there be no RFP process.

The City Council voted Tuesday night to request Lynch provide an explanation for why the contract was not put out for bid and some councilors have questioned the timing of the health board's vote.

Galvin also said any suggestion that a new contract was a done deal was off base.

A five-year deal had been proposed to the city by Trinity, but Lynch has said he suggested a three-year contract with the city reserving the right for an option for two one-year extensions.

After the meeting, Singleton said he urged the board to try to sign a new deal before Lynch leaves because Singleton works for the manager and was expressing Lynch's wishes.

Singleton said it would be ideal if the board approves the pact at its meeting Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the JFK Civic Center, and noted it was the first time in his 14 years in the city he can remember the board scheduling a meeting one week after another.

David Daly, CEO of PrideSTAR EMS, another ambulance company in the city, urged the board to take its time and continue to incorporate feedback from all interested parties, such as the Fire Department and Lowell General Hospital.

"It is not about whether the city manager is going to be here or not, it is about providing a good ambulance contract for the city," Daly said.

John Chemaly, one of the owners of Trinity, said he believes there has been an inclusive process in negotiating the new deal and he was pleased the board was moving forward with the framework for a new contract.

"We are looking forward to the meeting next week," Chemaly said afterward.

The five-member board did unanimously approve several amendments to its proposed new contract with Trinity.

One amendment would give the board the right to request dedicated ambulance units or additional units based on data. In some other communities Trinity contracts with, the company designates ambulances solely to the community, but it does not do so in Lowell.

A second amendment would require the provider to comply with the city's service zone plan when approved, and stipulate that the service-zone plan would supersede conflicting items in the contract.

A service zone plan defines a community's EMS resources and describes how those resources will be used and coordinated. State law required that municipalities have a plan approved by the state as of Dec. 31, 2006, but the city has yet to have its plan approved.

The board also discussed Fire Chief Edward Pitta's recommendation that the city consider splitting the ambulance contract into two, with one contract for basic life-support services, known as BLS, and a second contract for advance life-support, known as ALS. Presently, Trinity subcontracts with the paramedics at Lowell General Hospital to provide a majority of the ALS service in the city. The board did not take any formal action Wednesday night on the issue.

The board did approve an amendment to the current contract in light of the death of Alyssa Brame while in the Police Department's cell block last year.

The amendment requires Trinity to provide an EMS unit to the police lock-up as requested and a new training component. Trinity also will assist police with establishing new strategies and programs to address in-custody health concerns. The proposed new contract is also slated to include similar language.